Entered films in 1966 as a production runner on "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) and worked as a writer (for both TV and features) from the early 1970s. A varied talent, particularly skilled with historical material, Birkin co-adapted Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" (1986) and made his directing-writing debut with the Stefan Zweig adaptation, "Burning Secret" (1988). Brother of actress Jane Birkin and uncle of actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Entered films in 1966 as a production runner on "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) and worked as a writer (for both TV and features) from the early 1970s.

A varied talent, particularly skilled with historical material, Birkin co-adapted Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" (1986) and made his directing-writing debut with the Stefan Zweig adaptation, "Burning Secret" (1988). Brother of actress Jane Birkin and uncle of actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.